Tribute to Dr Mark Thomas

I worked with Mark on two College projects - NAP6 was the big one. He was a pleasure to work with professionally - perceptive, quiet when necessary and sensible when speaking up. Far more importantly he was a delightful man. He would 'light up the room' with a quiet smile and his gentle humour. I was always pleased to see him. How sad he is gone so young.

I worked with Mark at GOSH for 8 years. He could be counted on as an incredibly safe pair of hands, but also someone with a very quick sense of humour, and someone who had as much tolerance for pre op mindfulness shenanigans of some of our colleagues as I did. Much eye rolling. My thoughts go out to everyone who loved him. A great shame and a great loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear that Mark had died. We were at Cambridge Clinical School together (1987-1989) and in the last 2 years, Mark had arranged for our year group to meet up in Cambridge on two very successful occasions. He was a truly wonderful man, always smiling, joking, charming and kind. And gorgeous. A true gentleman. And it was wonderful to hear more about other parts of his sporting and family life yesterday at the Memorial service. It was clear that he had absolutely lived life to the full, as well as having such a successful medical career. Cathy, Ben, Sam, Mark’s Mum, brother and sister, all spoke so movingly and bravely, they were incredibly composed and the service, music and readings were beautiful and resonated so much. We will all miss you so much Mark. Sending so much love to your beautiful family.

I am so so saddened to hear that such a titan in our field has passed too soon. I had the privilege of meeting Mark when I was a trainee at GOSH. I recall him strolling into my theatre, cool as you like, when had an anaphylaxis and just handling things with his utmost calm and a peppering of dry wit. My love to his family. Rest in peace Mark X

Mark and I were Registrars together at the RNTNE and we both went on to do Fellowships at Sick Kids in Toronto where we shared many happy moments with him, Cathy and their boys. On our return to London Mark was an an enormous support in private practice providing exceptional anaesthetic care for my patients. and their parents (especially the mums) who were so appreciative of his gentle, kind, considered professional approach always accompanied with a twinkle in his eyes A lovely man, doctor and friend who will be very much missed Our thoughts to Cathy, his boys and family Hamid and Laure

I met Mark when I was an anaesthetic fellow at GOSH and he was an inspiration. A combination of skill, enthusiasm and good humour.

Mark was such a great leader for our specialty, his Presidency of the APA came at a particularly difficult time, during the pandemic. He worked on many committees and meetings advocating for children's services, trying to make sure children were not overlooked in the rush to reinstate services and work through the backlog of cases. We shared many meetings and he was always polite but firm in his advocacy and strikingly well informed; he was a joy to work alongside. I had the privilege of spending time away from the clinical arena with Mark, skiing in the French alps. He was a highly competent skier, both on and off the piste. Never afraid to challenge us with difficult slopes and revelling in my collision with our colleague Rob. Oh how he liked to show the video of my wipe out, I am sure the entire council of the APA had seen it before we finished our holiday. Good bye Mark and God bless. Russell

As a former colleague at GOSH. I was deeply saddened to hear of Marks untimely passing. He was truly an exceptional and inspiring Consultant Anaesthetist that patients and colleagues looked up to. He was quick witted, a tremendous joy to work alongside and a good friend. He will be sorely missed! l am honoured to have known him.

Mark was a mentor, colleague and generous contributor to paediatric anaesthesia. He was one of the first anaesthetists I met at GOSH over a terribly difficult PICU patient with poor access… in the times before USS he demonstrated patience, skill and dedication that left an enduring ‘Mark’ on me. Thank you Mark, you will be sorely missed across the world.

So sorry to hear of Mark's passing. A wonderful man and an inspiration to me in my career.

So sorry and shocked to hear that Mark has died. One the most “together” people I have ever met. We worked as examiners for the FRCA part 1 for many years and he was a complete joy to know. Always effortlessly smart in style, funny and understated in demeanor, he never failed to put a smile on our faces during hectic weeks of examining and the challenges of the OSCE working party. Thank you for the laughs and the wisdom Mark, my condolences to Cathy and family. 💙

Thank you for your kind words about my brother. It was a bittersweet experience to read them and see the pictures. Though his family and friends remain understandably emotional about his passing, knowing what he means to you all is a great comfort to me. So thank you. You’ve shown me a consistent picture of an intelligent, caring and funny man whom we all loved and admired very much for his endeavour and achievements. It was reassuring to see the impact he made in his field and made me extremely proud. I am surprised no-one mentioned how handsome he was, but I am sure it came up in conversation (by him). Joking aside, I miss him dearly, but I am clearly not alone in that. x

Mark became well known to SPANZA in the lead up to the combined APAGBI / SPANZA ASM in Brisbane in 2019. He was a leading member of the organising committee and played a huge part in the winning debate team for the UK. Many of us were lucky to catch up with him again at the second combined meeting in London, in 2023. He will be remembered by us as an intelligent, humorous and lovely man who gave the relationship between our countries, our organisations and our profession an injection of banter, humour and many great memories.

Such sad news. A lovely colleague and great doctor. He will be missed

What incredibly sad news. Mark was a wonderfully kind, funny and knowledgeable man. Always calm in a crisis...he was someone you would be relieved to see in an emergency. Mark was dedicated to his patients and a fantastically supportive colleague. He also had this hilarious, silly side... I remember one time him wandering through Recovery with a particularly stylish new man bag and after only a tiny amount of encouragement shared the contents in the style of a Vogue 'what's in my bag' video... A moment of fun after what had been a very heavy day. My thoughts are with all who loved him.

A wonderful and wise colleague and friend Shocked and Saddened

I was deeply saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. He was a wonderful anaesthetist with such compassion and empathy for the children in his care. I worked with him at GOSH back in 2000/1. Mark was the first doctor I met who cycled to work, and often greeted him in the mornings in his cycle wear. He was an incredible human being and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. X

I was so deeply saddened to hear of Marks passing. Working with him was such a privilege. He was not only incredibly professional and kind, but also had that sharp wit and sense of humour that made even the toughest days lighter. Mark will be greatly missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.